Peskin followed up the next day with a letter to the city's Ethics Commission questioning the legality and tactics of the "Run, Ed, Run" committee hoping to get Mayor Ed Leeinto the contest this fall.

He promptly cc'd the letter to a half dozen of the mayoral candidates who could face off against Lee.

Largely the brainchild of onetime Peskin friend-turned-foe Rose Pak(she calls Peskin the Napoleon of North Beach), the Run, Ed, Run group has raised and spent upward of $60,000 to generate support for Lee.

Peskin said Pak and Co. should be aware that "Aaron Peskin is in town."

It didn't take long for the campaigns of City Attorney Dennis Herrera and Board of Supervisors President David Chiu to draft a statement calling for official action - then getting fellow mayoral hopefuls Leland Yee, Michela Alioto-Pier and Joanna Reesto sign on.

Candidate and former Supervisor Bevan Dufty, who declined to join them, said, "As far as I'm concerned, (Lee) coming into the race is just going to make it more interesting."

Indeed, between the lack of fiery issues, the uncertainty of ranked-choice voting and polls showing none of the 30-plus candidates with more than 17 percent support, the biggest buzz so far has been the "will he or won't he" speculation surrounding Lee.

Now that Lee looks poised to announce, it's jump ball, and everything from his ties to Pak and former Mayor Willie Brown- and to nonprofits with city contracts that might have connections to his campaign - will instantly become fair game.

"It's a world where everything, right down to reports that you stole a pack of gum in third grade, come out," said veteran pol and state Democratic Party Chairman John Burton.

"It's game on," said Nathan Ballard, a one-time spokesman for then-Mayor Newsom. "But whatever happens, it's going to be great for you guys."

A real deal: Who says the market for Bay Area office space is in a slump?

And that doesn't include the $75 million or so it will take to fix up and furnish the place.

All courtesy of your Bay Area state bridge tolls.

The idea is to combine several regional agencies under one roof, and rent out any remaining space.

"We think we are getting a fair price," said commission head Steve Heminger, "and we think we will be able to recoup the investment over time."

One person who isn't happy about the move is Oakland Mayor Jean Quan, who had lobbied the commission not to leave town.

Giant save: San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr didn't get the president's autograph at the Giants' White House ceremony last week - but he didn't walk away empty-handed, either.

As Suhr was leaving, he spotted Willie Mays, Knowing Mays can be temperamental at times, Suhr decided it was best not to ask for an autograph, opting instead to say simply: "I'm Chief Greg Suhr. You don't know me, but as a kid I used to go trick-or-treating at your house on 12th Avenue."

"You did what?" Mays replied.

"I used to trick-or-treat at your house on 12th Avenue."

With that, Mays grabbed Suhr and called out, "Hey, somebody get me a picture with this guy!"

Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX-TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or e-mail matierandross@sfchronicle.com.